You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 159 Hell Joke
Guangxi.

The Three Princes temporarily abandoned their siege of Nanning, suffering heavy casualties and their troops were exhausted and unable to continue the attack.

Everyone returned to their respective homes. Shang Kexi's troops withdrew to Wuzhou, Kong Youde's troops withdrew to Guilin, and Geng Zhongming's troops were stationed in Liuzhou.

August fifteen.

Outside the city gates of Guilin, firecrackers crackled and drums resounded.

A group of people wearing red-tasseled hats knelt down in unison.

"Your humble servants pay their respects to Governor Hong."

"My colleagues, please rise. I am honored by the Emperor's favor and the Vice Censor's kindness, and have been promoted from the Grain Commissioner of Fujian to the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Guangxi. In the future, I will rely on you all greatly."

"You're too kind, Your Excellency."

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone introduced themselves, an indispensable part of the welcoming ceremony.

The welcoming banquet was lavish, and many officials gathered there.

In a corner, several officials ate and discussed among themselves.

"This Lord Hong looks really young, not even twenty yet."

Do you know who he is?

"Who is it?"

"You'd be shocked if I told you, he's got quite a background. His biological father is Hong Chengchou, and his godfather is Jiang Qingyun, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. He's aiming for the governorship."

"Oh, I'm so envious."

"His biological father is a big shot, and his godfather isn't a nobody either. What a blessing!"

Surrounded by admirers, Hong Shiming was young, proud, and carefree, showing no trace of the pathetic state he had when he attempted suicide by drowning in the lake in Beijing.

……

One month later~
Hong Shiming paid another visit to Prince Dingnan, Kong Youde, and the two sat in the courtyard drinking tea and chatting.

"Your Highness, it's hot in the south, how are you feeling?"

"Not bad, the food and drink are good, and the women are plentiful. Governor Hong, the next major battle is about to break out, and the logistics of my Tianyou Army will depend on you."

Kong Youde was a complete brute, and he spoke very crudely.

Hong Shiming was displeased, but he remained respectful on the surface.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will ensure the army's food supplies are in perfect condition. This battle is the last one against the Ming Dynasty, and I would like to share in the military merits."

"I heard you have a good relationship with Jiang Qingyun of the Censorate?"

"He is my godfather and has given me a lot of guidance."

Hong Shiming spoke frankly, without any shame or embarrassment.

Kong Youde was dumbfounded, and in his heart he cursed, "Damn you! Every civil official in the world is more shameless than the last!"

After Hong Shiming left, he told his unmarried daughter Kong Sizhen about the incident as a joke during dinner, and to his surprise, Kong Sizhen laughed uncontrollably.

After the meal, she returned to her room.

Kong Sizhen couldn't help but laugh.

The maid asked her what was wrong, and she said that if we were to discuss the relationship in detail, shouldn't Governor Hong call me godmother?

The joke was so outrageous that the master and servant burst into laughter.

As the ancients said, extreme joy begets sorrow.

Two weeks after the birth of the Hell Joke, hell really did come.

……

Wangfu.

Messengers kept bringing back the latest news.

"Report! The Great Western bandits have gathered more than 100,000 troops and are invading Liuzhou. The leader of the army is the self-proclaimed Prince of Jin, Li Dingguo."

Kong Youde looked solemn as he gazed at the unfolded map.

"No, this is not right."

"Father-in-law, this humble general also feels something is amiss. Why would the Great Western bandits launch a major counterattack at this time? This doesn't make sense."

There's definitely something fishy going on here.

Although Kong Youde had never studied military strategy, he fought in no fewer than a hundred battles, large and small, from Liaodong to Guangxi, making him a self-taught practitioner.

"Yanling, over 100,000 Western bandits have come out in full force."

"Yes."

"Currently, my Heavenly Blessing Army is scattered across more than a dozen locations. Do you think we should unite our forces in one place now?"
"If we join forces, we will lose territory, and if we lose territory, we will be held accountable by the imperial court. But if we do not join forces, we may be wiped out one by one by the enemy."

"You've said nothing at all, you've just spouted a load of nonsense."

Sun Yanling blushed as she was scolded.

Kong Youde hesitated for a few more days, deciding to observe the situation further.

……

The next day, evening.

With his face covered in blood, Geng Jimao fled to Guilin with several followers.

"Uncle, Liuzhou has been lost."

"Don't rush, tell me slowly."

After learning about the fall of Liuzhou, Kong Youde felt a chill run down his spine.

"Uncle, the fall of Liuzhou was not due to a lack of skill. The bandit leader Li Dingguo personally supervised the battle, driving an endless number of soldiers. The first wave of attacks on the city was his elite troops." Kong Youde finally made up his mind.

"Someone is coming."

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"Quickly send out scouts to inform the brothers in various places to abandon the city and the passes, and move towards Guilin. They have five days to do so. If they fail to arrive by the deadline, they will be punished according to military law."

"Send two more scouts to Wuzhou and Changsha respectively to request reinforcements."

Within Guilin city, the air was thick with tension and fear.

Kong Youde opened the treasury to reward the soldiers, and also moved his precious field cannons to the city wall. He also mobilized 2000 able-bodied men to assist in the defense of the city.

The provincial governor, Hong Shiming, was so frightened that he tossed and turned for several nights without being able to sleep.

The sound of cannons suddenly rang out on the morning of the fourth day.

Upon hearing the cannon fire, Kong Youde jumped up and climbed the city wall to look out.

A cavalry force appeared outside the city.

"Your Highness, they are Yao soldiers."

"Damn it, I still don't understand how Li Dingguo managed to win over these barbarians?"

Kong Youde's confusion was not without reason.

The southwestern barbarians have always been at odds with the government. They rebelled against the Song Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, and their main characteristic is that they trust no one. Now, however, they are willing to serve as soldiers for Li Dingguo, which is really incomprehensible.

The answer is actually—strict military discipline ensures that the military never disturbs the people.

Li Dingguo's military leadership philosophy was quite advanced, and he managed to create a legendary personal reputation in the southwestern provinces.

……

Looking at the scattered scouts outside the city, Kong Youde's face was gloomy.

"Send a cavalry unit out of the city to drive away the enemy cavalry and clear the roads."

"Yanling, do you know what I'm most worried about right now?"

"I don't know what will happen next."

"My biggest worry right now is my brothers scattered all over the country!"

A single word can become a proverb.

Three days later, the main force of the Daxi Army arrived.

Banners filled the sky, men shouted and horses neighed. Standing on the city wall, one could see an endless army formation, with a large banner fluttering in the wind in the middle – “Jin”.

Provincial Governor Hong Shiming was deathly pale, his legs trembling, and sweat pouring down his face.

"Nephew."

"Hey."

“You are Hong Chengchou’s son. If Guilin falls, you will surely die. The Ming army may spare anyone else, but they will not spare you.”

"Yes Yes."

"I am preparing to go out of the city to meet the enemy. You stay here and do not move. Boost morale."

"Yes Yes."

"Don't be nervous. My legs were shaking terribly the first time I went to the battlefield. Here you go~"

Kong Youde spoke in a gentle and pleasant manner, and even insisted on giving Hong Shiming a sword.

……

Kong Youde shouted sternly:
"The imperial army has already crossed the Yangtze River. The Western bandits outside the city know they are about to die. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone a group of living people."

"However, it's useless to have more people. Everyone has known that the Ming army is incompetent."

"Bring 2000 fearless brothers, follow me out of the city and charge into battle."

The total number of troops defending Guilin was 5000, most of whom were veterans.

They quickly assembled a force of 2000 elite soldiers, all mounted on horseback, clad in double armor, and armed with a full range of weapons, both long and short.

"Kill~"

The veterans roared in unison, "Kill!"

The city gate of Guilin slowly opened, and Kong Youde took the lead and rushed out of the drawbridge, with Sun Yanling and his personal guards following closely behind.

The Great Western Army, which had not yet had time to set up camp, stirred slightly.

The generals looked at Li Dingguo.

"Your Highness?"

"Where are the royal guards?"

"exist!"

"Lure the enemy over and let the war elephants trample them."

"As ordered."

Li Dingguo dispatched his most elite guard, demonstrating absolute selflessness. Feng Shuangli, observing from the side, secretly admired him.

……

Kong Youde's Tianyou Army was a Western-trained army with ample firearms.

Unfortunately, Kong Youde himself was a cavalryman, and although he wasn't good at playing cavalry, he always felt an urge to play it, and so he went deeper and deeper into the fray.

suddenly~
A neighing sound followed by the chorus of all elephants.

(End of this chapter)